1
as in sketch
a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene
his simple but striking delineations of Dutch landscapes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in description
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
a finely wrought delineation of a young couple's first experience with love and loss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of delineation
Headlines about his essay have, somewhat understandably, focused on Amodei’s blunt delineation of AI risks.
—
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, there is no clear delineation between where the land ends and water begins.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
The scope of the effort is almost incomprehensible, both for its sheer size and persistence on a low-lying peninsula, where the delineation between land and sea has always been somewhat unclear and is becoming less so.
—Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Whatever the franchise delineation might say, Scheifele and the overwhelming majority of fans treat both sets of Jets history as the same.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delineation
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, there is no clear delineation between where the land ends and water begins.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
The scope of the effort is almost incomprehensible, both for its sheer size and persistence on a low-lying peninsula, where the delineation between land and sea has always been somewhat unclear and is becoming less so.
—Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Whatever the franchise delineation might say, Scheifele and the overwhelming majority of fans treat both sets of Jets history as the same.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delineation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delineation
Noun
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The phrasing is flat, declarative, and uninterested in anecdote; taken together, the dicta sketch a profile that is periodic, age-linked, and seasonal.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
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The art in this collection is a stunning reproduction of Miyazaki’s illustrations, including concept sketches, animation stills and interviews with the creators.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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During the police investigation, San Francisco Sheriff's deputies were in the area and found a possible suspect matching the description about a few blocks away on Powell Street and detained the subject, police said.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Nine bones carrying the full weight of a species description.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the other, a 9-year-old Khimberly held drawings and pictures for a school project.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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The ruling said the lower court was wrong in finding that the student’s drawing, at the center of the dispute, was not protected by the First Amendment.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This is Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, a gripping portrait of a young prince caught between action and inaction, grief and rage, truth and deception.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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Data and recordings from more than a hundred 911 calls at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, along with interviews and court filings, offer a disturbing portrait of overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition and emotional distress.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Phil Chan’s organization Final Bow for Yellowface has worked to end the practice of Yellowface in America’s most popular ballet, The Nutcracker, and bring authentic depictions of Asian culture to ballet stages.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
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The narrative has gained influence in technology circles for its depiction of incremental rather than sudden transformation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But his candid portrayal of challenges and tech goals on Thursday was far more measured in tone.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
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Sporting Robert Shaw’s distinctive fisherman’s cap, flinty and crooked grin, and swarthy mutton-chop sideburns, Gildart Jackson’s is an evocative portrayal of Robert Shaw.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Shopping market editor Kate McGregor is a sucker for Liz Rowland’s quirky illustrations.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
6 Mar. 2026
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Effler is best known for creating the annual Bockfest posters and illustrations.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The machine scanned the skull using bright, nondestructive X-rays, generating over 9,000 high-resolution images and terabytes of data.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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An investigation by the Bakersfield Police Department also led to separate charges citing Mays for possession of more than 600 images of youth or child pornography and distribution of obscene matter involving someone younger than 18.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Delineation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delineation. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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